Creative Team

SÉAMUS Ó GRIANNA (Author)
Séamus Ó Grianna (1889-1969) wrote the original novel Caisleáin Óir (ISBN 0-85342-461-6) in 1924.
Other novels include Cith is Dealain (1955) and the autobiographical Nuair a bhí mé óg. He used the pseudonym Máire (Irish for Mary), but was also known as Jim Greene (english version of Séamus Ó Grianna) and as Jim Fheilimí (Feilimí's Jimmy) in the Irish-speaking area of Donegal (Tír Chonaill). He mostly wrote short stories. >>more>>

LESLIE LONG (Composer and Lyricist)
Leslie has been involved in musicals and variety shows since 1981, both playing keyboards and as sound engineer. He studied Caisleáin Óir for his Leaving Certificate, and in 1998 decided to write a musical based on the novel. He has played keyboards in many musicals productions, most recently "Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story", "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Grease". He was musical director for Letterkenny Pantomine Society's productions of "Cinderella", "Robin Hood" and "Aladdin", assistant musical director of "Chess", and has also done arrangements for Matt McGranaghan and his Orchestra. Most recently he engineered on Matt's third album "Lullaby". Leslie is currently preparing the music of Caisleáin Óir for publication, and plans an original cast recording, which will be available in 2008.

PHIL DALTON (Director and Choreographer)
Phil has been involved in the Drama and Musical scene in the Northwest since 1977. She has designed and directed many plays and musicals, and has choreographed over 40 shows. She loves working with young people, finding their enthusiasm, talent, commitment and "joie de vivre", infectious. She creates and directs presentations for her youth drama groups, and organises drama classes and workshops in Letterkenny and Derry.

Phil is a regular attendee at Gormanstown Summer Drama School, developing her skills and seeking new ideas. She has co-written the Drama Syllabus for Leaving Certificate Applied, and gives drama workshops and in-service training for teachers throughout Ireland.

A founder member of the North West Theatre Project Committee, who with the local councils and The Arts Council, are responsible for An Grianán Theatre, she now represents this committee on the Board of Management at An Grianán Theatre.

KATHLEEN RUDDY (Composer and Lyricist)
Kathleen has been involved with the adaptation of the novel, Caisleáin Óir, and has provided the vocal arrangements of the songs. As a member of the McGrory family, Culdaff, music has always been and important part of her life. She has directed productions by the Rainbow Theatre Group, a youth group aimed at providing a stage for emerging talent. She has also directed productions representing Donegal in the National Finals of the "Community Games" in Mosney. More recently she has produced shows in Deele College, Raphoe. Kathleen is also a member of St. Eunan's Cathedral Choir.

STUART MARSHALL (Set Designer)
Stuart has been working as a Theatre Designer for over ten years. He was Resident Designer at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast from 1994-1999, and enjoyed many successes there, including a nomination as Best Set Designer at the inaugural Irish Times/ESB Theatre Awards in 1997. His designs include "The diary of Anne Frank", "Dealer's Choice", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "The Crucible", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Dancing at Lughnasa" and "Translations".

MARY KELLY (Costumer Designer)
Mary has worked on a number of shows in An Grianán Theatre and Loreto, Letterkenny. With great sensitivity to the period and location, Mary's hard work creates the ambience of Caisleáin Óir.

NIALL CRANNEY (Lighting Designer)
Niall is currently the Technical Stage Manager in An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny. He worked for four years in the Lyric Theatre, Belfast, and has worked with the Druid Theatre, Doublejoint Theatre, Tinderbox Theatre and the Royal Court in London.